7

There are two directories I can change to:

Program Files/ Program Files (x86)/

I can change to first one by writing:

cd Program\ Files

But the second for second one:

cd Program\ Files\ (x86)

I get:

bash: syntax error near unexpected token `('

What is the right way to change to second directory?

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2 Answers 2

Reset to default
11

You have to escape the parentheses:

cd Program\ Files\ \(x86\)

Pressing TAB will usually complete the command line for you, and will give hints how to quote the file/directory names.

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5
  • Yes, Tab completes, but I have two directories with the same name till (x86) so it only completes to "Program Files". Commented Jun 11, 2012 at 8:46
  • @enedene That's right, although afterwards you can type \ and take advantage of completion. Commented Jun 11, 2012 at 8:51
  • An alternative that may be useful in this case is to use shell globbing. For example, cd P TAB ??x86? TAB will likely (depending on what else you have in the relevant directory) complete out to Program Files (x86). Commented Jun 11, 2012 at 9:08
  • 1
    At some point backslashes become more of a problem than they're worth. If you have more than one or two special characters it's simpler to quote the entire file name; either "Program Files (x86)" or 'Program Files (x86)' will work. Commented Jun 11, 2012 at 12:34
  • Hitting TAB multiple times should cycle through the available matches. cd Prog TAB TAB. Commented Jun 11, 2012 at 14:53
3

Another way to accomplish the same is to quote the path containing whitespace:

cd "Program Files (x86)"

This also works with tab-completion so you can type:

cd "Program<Space><Tab><Space><Tab>

Notice the opening double-quote. Then you will get:

cd "Program Files (x86)"/
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